Dr. Charles Omondi Olang’o is an Anthropologist, currently teaching in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Maseno University. He has versed experience in social science research. Currently, Dr Olang’o is part of a capable team implementing a World Bank Funded Project - Enhancing Gender Mainstreaming and Social-inclusion in Validation and Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies in Kenya. This project is funded through Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. Between 2014 and 2018, he was in charge of collaboration between Maseno University and Ipas Africa Alliance, which implemented interventions on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights among university students.

Funding Agency: World Bank through KESCAP Project
 

Value Chains:

Apiculture, Sorghum, Cassava, Tomatoes, Finger Millet and Indigenous chicken
Location (Area): Apiculture (Siaya, Kajiado, Tana River), Tomatoes (Siaya county), Sorghum (Siaya,
Kisumu, Kericho), Cassava (Busia, Kisumu), Finger millet (Kericho, Kisumu) and Indigenous Chicken
(Kisumu, Busia, Kericho).

About the Project:

Agriculture sector is the backbone of Kenya’s economy as it contributes about 25% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a source of livelihood for over 75% of the rural population (GoK 2017; USAID (2018). However, climate change poses a huge threat to the agricultural sector and food security (World Food Programme, 2018). In recent years, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a new approach to ensure food security, increase agricultural productivity and incomes, and build resilience to climate change, as well as reduce emissions and enhance the sinks where possible (Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management [WOCAN] (2014). It comprises a wide range of technologies and practices, such as drought and flood tolerant varieties of crops, livestock breeds and fish, improved water management techniques, conservation tillage, agro-forestry for carbon sequestration, integrated crop-livestock management, weather forecasting and early warning systems, among others (WOCAN, 2014). In Kenya, World Bank supports adoption of Climate
Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). The KCSAP is closely aligned with the World Bank Group Kenya Country Partnership Strategy FY 2014–2018 (approved by the Board of Executive Director in 2014, Report Number 87024) and its goals of eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity by 2030. The degree to which people are likely to adopt CSA depends on factors such as social status, gender, poverty, power and access to and control over resources (UNDP 2011; FAO & World Bank, 2017). Therefore, this research examines gender mainstreaming and social exclusion in the validation and adoption of climate smart agricultural technologies in Kenya. In addition to gender, the projects aims examines the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups such as those living with disability, youth and widows among other in the various value chains such as tomatoes, sorghum, finger millet and cassava as well as apiculture and indigenous poultry in Kajiado, Tana River, Kericho, Kisumu, Siaya and Busia Counties.

URL: https://www.kcsap.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/KCSAP-HIGHLIGHTER-ISSUE-NO.3-
JULY-2020-.pdf